JP2002334799A - Compact self-ballasted fluorescent lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inexpensive compact self-ballasted fluorescent lamp having a relatively good dimming characteristic to allow light modulation and having a relatively simple circuit structure. SOLUTION: This compact self-ballasted fluorescent lamp is equipped with: a fluorescent lamp FL provided with a phosphor layer on the inside surface side of a compact translucent discharge container with a curved discharge path formed inside, a pair of electrodes at both its ends, and an ionizing medium in its inside; a lighting circuit means composed by sequentially connecting a noise filter NF, a rectifying circuit FRC, and a partial smoothing circuit PSC to input ends (a) and (b) connected to a low-frequency AC power source AS via a phase control type dimmer DM, and provided with a first switching means Q1 and a second switching Q2 serially connected so as to impose a smoothed DC voltage of the smoothing circuit PSC, and a load circuit LC for lighting the fluorescent lamp FL operated by a high-frequency alternating current generated by the alternate switching of the switching means Q1 and Q2; a cover for housing the lighting circuit means in its inside and for supporting the fluorescent lamp; and a base connected to the input ends of the lighting circuit means and disposed at the base end of the cover.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a compact fluorescent lamp having a lighting circuit means improved so that it can be operated in combination with a phase control type dimmer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A bulb-type fluorescent lamp has a structure in which a compact fluorescent lamp and its lighting circuit means are integrated. Since it is a light source having both high lamp efficiency and long life, which are characteristic features, and capable of achieving significant power saving, it is widely used in place of incandescent lamps.

[0003] In general, commercially available bulb-type fluorescent lamps are capable of operating a fluorescent lamp with high efficiency, and are required to be small and light in weight. It has an inverter. The high-frequency inverter converts the low-frequency AC into non-smooth DC once using a rectifier circuit and converts the non-smooth DC voltage from the non-smooth DC voltage using a smoothing capacitor to convert DC to high frequency. Direct current is obtained (prior art 1). The circuit method of directly charging the smoothing capacitor with the rectified non-smoothed DC voltage in this manner is called a capacitor input method, and a bulb-type fluorescent lamp using this method uses a phase control type dimmer for the reason described later. Can not be dimmed.

On the other hand, recently, a dimmable bulb-type fluorescent lamp has been developed. This light bulb-type fluorescent lamp uses a voltage doubler rectifier circuit and employs a special control IC, and performs dimming by monitoring the power supply waveform and performing frequency control (prior art 2).

[0005]

The prior art 1 has the advantage that the circuit configuration is simple and inexpensive.
Since the input current from the low-frequency AC power supply to the lighting circuit means is a charging current to the smoothing capacitor, the inflow period is short. Therefore, when the phase control type dimmer is turned on during the pause period of the input current, the holding current cannot be secured, and the triac used as the phase control element in the phase control type dimmer is turned off. The ON state cannot be maintained for half a cycle. As a result, the input current of the bulb-type fluorescent lamp increases and the life is shortened. In addition, since the triac of the phase control type dimmer malfunctions particularly at the lower limit of dimming, there is a problem that brightness flickers.

On the other hand, the prior art 2 has a problem that the circuit configuration is complicated, the number of circuit components such as ICs is increased, the area of the wiring board is increased, and the bulb-type fluorescent lamp is enlarged. .

According to the present invention, dimming can be performed with relatively good dimming characteristics, the circuit configuration is relatively simple, and
An object is to provide an inexpensive bulb-type fluorescent lamp.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a bulb-type fluorescent lamp configured to perform a protection operation near the lower limit of dimming so as not to cause flicker in brightness.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bulb-type fluorescent lamp in which a smoothing circuit is improved so as to perform appropriate filament heating.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light-bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp having a compact shape such that a bent discharge path is formed therein.
A phosphor layer provided on the inner surface side of the translucent discharge vessel, a pair of electrodes sealed at both ends of the translucent discharge vessel, and a fluorescent light having an ionized medium sealed inside the translucent discharge vessel. A lamp; an input terminal connected to a low-frequency AC power supply via a phase control type dimmer, a noise filter connected to the input terminal, a rectifier circuit having an AC input terminal connected to an output terminal side of the noise filter, and a rectifier circuit. A partial smoothing circuit for smoothing a non-smoothed DC output voltage, first switching means and second switching means connected in series so that a smoothed DC voltage of the partial smoothing circuit is applied, and first and second switching means. Lighting circuit means provided with a load circuit for operating the fluorescent lamp by operating with high-frequency alternating current generated by alternate switching of the second switching means; and housing the lighting circuit means therein; It is characterized in that it comprises a; and a cover for supporting the light lamp; and the cap disposed at the proximal end of the cover while connected to the input terminal of the lighting circuit means.

<Regarding the Fluorescent Lamp> (Regarding the Translucent Discharge Vessel) The translucent discharge vessel is formed in a compact shape so that a bent discharge path is formed therein. Has an outer diameter of 13mm
Hereinafter, it is preferably 8 to 11 mm, and more preferably 3 to 9 mm for further miniaturization. For example, a single elongated glass tube is bent in a saddle shape, or a plurality of U-shaped glass tubes bent in a U-shape are connected by a connecting tube, and a portion of each U-shaped glass tube is placed on the circumference. By arranging or arranging the gaps formed between the U-shaped glass tubes back and forth so that they can be seen from one direction, and further by spirally winding the glass tubes, The light discharge vessel can be formed in a compact shape, and a discharge path bent inside can be formed. The connecting pipe is
It can be formed by a blow-off method or by glass welding using a separately prepared tube.

Further, the outer diameter for making the translucent discharge vessel smaller can be freely selected within the above numerical range. However, if the outer diameter is less than 3 mm, the lamp current is excessively reduced. In order to secure a desired lamp input, it is necessary to compensate for the decrease in lamp current by increasing the discharge path length. In addition, since the lamp voltage increases along with this, the starting voltage also increases, the lighting circuit becomes large, and the cost increases. Conversely, if the outer diameter of the translucent discharge vessel exceeds 13 mm, the translucent discharge vessel becomes too large, making it difficult to obtain a compact fluorescent lamp. The inner diameter of the translucent discharge vessel is substantially proportional to the outer diameter, and is an average value obtained by subtracting twice the thickness of the translucent discharge vessel from the outer diameter.

Further, a seal portion, for example, a pinch seal portion is formed on at least both ends of the translucent discharge vessel, and if necessary, a pinch seal portion is also formed in the middle in addition to this. For example, in the case where a plurality of U-shaped glass tubes are connected by a connecting tube to form a light-transmitting discharge vessel, a seal portion may be formed in the middle of the light-transmitting discharge vessel. That is, seal portions are formed at both ends of each U-shaped glass tube, and intermediate portions near the ends are connected to each other by a connection tube to form one bent discharge path.

On the other hand, the length of the light-transmitting discharge vessel, that is, the length of the discharge path formed between a pair of electrodes sealed at both ends of the light-transmitting discharge vessel, that is, the discharge path length, has an outer diameter in the above range. Within this range, it can be set to 250 to 500 mm according to the lamp power of the bulb-type fluorescent lamp.

Further, the material of the light-transmitting discharge vessel is not limited as long as it has the above-mentioned structure, but it can be generally made of glass. In this case, it is economical to use soft glass such as soda lime glass, lead glass, and barium silicate glass, but if necessary, hard or semi-hard glass such as borosilicate glass can be used.

Further, the cross-sectional shape of the translucent discharge vessel is generally circular, but may be non-circular, for example, elliptical or any other cross-sectional shape, if necessary.

(Regarding Phosphor Layer) The phosphor layer is used for converting the wavelength of ultraviolet light generated by discharge into visible light in a desired wavelength range. The type of phosphor used is not limited, but a three-wavelength light-emitting phosphor is preferable because it can obtain excellent heat resistance and load characteristics and has excellent color rendering properties.

In the present invention, the phrase “the phosphor layer is disposed on the inner surface side of the translucent discharge vessel” means that the phosphor layer is directly formed on the inner face of the translucent discharge vessel. It means that it may be formed indirectly via a protective film, a reflective film, or the like.

Further, as the protective film, Al₂O₃Fine
A film configuration mainly composed of particles can be used. Crystal structure
The structure may be either β-form or α-form. However, α-form
Al ₂O₃By using a protective film made of
Light flux rising characteristics can be obtained.

(Electrode) A pair of electrodes are sealed at both ends of the translucent discharge vessel via seal portions, and the electrode structure may be any of a filament electrode and a ceramic electrode.

When the electrode is a filament electrode and the seal portion has a pinch seal structure, a bead mount structure is employed to prevent the shape of the filament from being disturbed during sealing. Both ends can be pinch sealed.

When a ceramic electrode is used, the ceramic electrode has the following configuration. That is, the ceramic electrode is composed of a sintered body of a composite oxide or oxynitride,
A conductive substrate for supporting the sintered body. The sintered body is composed of fine particles of a composite oxide or oxynitride mainly containing an alkaline earth element and a transition metal element, and a porous aggregate thereof. In addition, the surfaces of the fine particles of the sintered body and the porous aggregate thereof can be coated with a carbide such as TaC and / or a nitride such as TiN. Forming these coatings on the surface has an effect of preventing sputtering of a thermionic emission material such as Ba. But,
The thermionic emission material also has a function of assisting electric conduction when the temperature of the surface sintered body is low due to thermal diffusion from the inside. "Conductive substrate" has a suitable conductivity,
Any material may be used as long as it supports the sintered body. For example, the material may be attached to a tungsten coil and carried, or may be housed inside a transition metal or a cup-shaped body formed from the sintered body. And carried.

(Regarding Ionization Medium) As the ionization medium sealed in the translucent discharge vessel, mercury and a rare gas which are widely used can be used. However, if necessary, only a rare gas can be used although the amount of light emission is reduced.

When mercury is used, the bulb-type fluorescent lamp becomes hot during operation, so that it is generally supplied by amalgam in order to optimally control the mercury vapor pressure at high temperatures. By using amalgam, it is possible to stably control the mercury vapor pressure even when the ambient temperature changes, and thus to obtain a stable light output. Further, by arranging the auxiliary amalgam in the vicinity of the electrode, mercury vapor can be supplied at the initial stage of lighting, and the luminous flux rising characteristics can be improved. In order to distinguish the former amalgam from the auxiliary amalgam, it is hereinafter referred to as "main amalgam".

The main amalgam emits mercury necessary for low-pressure mercury vapor discharge and supplies mercury vapor into the translucent discharge vessel, and is preferably housed in a thin tube. And the main amalgam is Bi-In-Hg, Bi-In-Sn-H.
In addition to the composition such as g, a material containing 4.5% by weight or more, preferably 6% by weight of mercury can be used in order to improve the light flux rising.

However, when the content of mercury reaches the above-mentioned content, care should be taken because mercury easily oozes out on the surface of the amalgam and causes stickiness. That is, when producing amalgam, it is possible to rapidly reduce the size of the crystal particles by quenching, or to perform a sticky prevention treatment on the surface of the amalgam.

The amount of main amalgam to be enclosed is 40 to 1
About 20 mg is good. Further, the main amalgam may be processed into particles of an appropriate size and a plurality of particles may be encapsulated in a capillary so that the required amount is encapsulated. In this case, the smaller the outer diameter of the translucent discharge vessel, the longer it takes for the mercury vapor pressure in the discharge space of the translucent discharge vessel to be evenly distributed during lighting. It can be supplied at several locations on the discharge vessel.

The auxiliary amalgam is configured such that by placing an amalgam-forming metal, for example, indium In, at a desired position, mercury moves in the translucent discharge vessel to form an amalgam. The amalgam-forming metal can be applied to a metal substrate such as stainless steel by vapor deposition or the like. When the auxiliary amalgam is provided near the electrode, the auxiliary amalgam can be supported by welding to the lead wire of the electrode. When the auxiliary amalgam is provided at a position remote from the electrode, the auxiliary amalgam can be supported by a member such as an appropriate lead wire having a base end sealed to the seal portion.

The rare gas may be filled with one or more of argon, krypton, xenon, neon and the like and mixed at a pressure of several thousand to several tens of thousands Pa.

<Lighting Circuit Means> In the present invention, the lighting circuit means is a circuit means for starting the fluorescent lamp and lighting it at a high frequency. The lighting includes all-light lighting and dimming lighting. The lighting circuit means includes an input terminal, a noise filter, a rectifier circuit, a partial smoothing circuit, first and second switching means connected in series, and circuit elements of a load circuit. And
It is permissible to provide other configurations as needed. Note that the above circuit elements are generally mounted on a wiring board. In the present invention, “high frequency” means a frequency of 10 kHz or more, and preferably a frequency of 20 to
It is 200 kHz.

The following is a description of each circuit element.

(Regarding the Input Terminal) The input terminal is a circuit element located on the side of the lowest frequency AC power supply of the lighting circuit means, and receives the input power from the low frequency AC power supply via the phase control type dimmer. And is connected to a base described later. Therefore, the input end does not need to be formed by a special member.

(Noise Filter) The noise filter is interposed between the low-frequency AC power supply and the rectifier circuit to reduce the high-frequency noise generated by the high-frequency switching of the first and second switching means constituting the high-frequency inverter. This is to prevent leakage to the frequency AC power supply side. Of course, a phase-controlled dimmer may be interposed between the low-frequency AC power supply and the noise filter, and the phase-controlled low-frequency AC voltage may be applied to the input terminal of the noise filter. The noise filter is not limited to the scope of the invention, but generally includes an inductor connected in series between the low-frequency AC power supply and the rectifier circuit, and a parallel connection to the low-frequency AC power supply. And a capacitor. Further, the capacitor of the noise filter is shared with the capacitor used as input impedance adjusting means for adjusting the input impedance of the bulb-type fluorescent lamp to a relatively low impedance at least during a non-conduction period when the phase control element of the dimmer is turned off. can do.

(Regarding the rectifier circuit) The rectifier circuit is means for converting low-frequency alternating current into direct current. The rectifier circuit has an AC input terminal connected to a low-frequency AC power supply through a noise filter, and a non-smooth DC power source connected to a DC output terminal. And various rectifier circuits can be arbitrarily adopted. For example, a bridge type full-wave rectifier circuit, a voltage doubler type full-wave rectifier circuit, a center tap type full-wave rectifier circuit, a half-wave rectifier circuit, or the like can be used.

(Regarding the Partial Smoothing Circuit) The partial smoothing circuit is a circuit means for forming a partial smoothed voltage by filling a valley portion of the non-smoothed DC voltage output from the rectifier circuit. The smoothing capacitor and the diode may further include an inductor in some cases.

One or more smoothing capacitors can be used. When a plurality of smoothing capacitors are used, each smoothing capacitor is discharged in a state of being connected in series and connected in parallel during charging with a non-smoothed DC voltage. Therefore, when the bulb-type fluorescent lamp is connected to a 100 V AC power source, if a partial smoothing circuit using two smoothing capacitors is used, one smoothing capacitor has a peak value of about 71.
V. Similarly, in the case of three smoothing capacitors, the peak value is about 47V. In the present invention, it is preferable to use a so-called multi-stage configuration using a plurality of smoothing capacitors, preferably a partial smoothing capacitor having a three-stage configuration. With the multi-stage configuration, the charging current of the smoothing capacitor, that is, the peak value of the input current can be reduced. For example, a bulb-type fluorescent lamp (rated power consumption of 20 to 23 W) equivalent to 100 W of an incandescent lamp is configured with a three-stage configuration. In this case, the input current becomes 0.4 A at the maximum.

As can be understood from the name of the smoothing circuit, the smoothed DC voltage which is the output of the partial smoothing circuit is not sufficiently smoothed, and the peak value of the unsmoothed DC voltage remains as it is. I have.

(Regarding First and Second Switching Means) The first and second switching means are connected in series so that the smoothed DC voltage of the partial smoothing circuit is applied, and are connected to the half-bridge inverter. Construct the main part. Then, a high-frequency AC voltage is generated by alternate switching of the first and second switching means.

The switching means may be of any drive type, such as a current drive type switching means such as a bipolar transistor, and a voltage drive type switching means such as an FET. The polarities may be the same polarity or complementary.
Since the FET is a voltage drive type switching means, driving is easy. Also, MOSFET
Is effective as a switching means for electric power which is less restricted by a safe operation area. Further, the enhancement type MOSFET is easy as power-on processing, and is suitable as a power switching means. Furthermore, N
Channel type MOSFETs are advantageous because the current product lineup is abundant. However, if necessary, P
A channel type MOSFET can be used. Further, an N-channel type MOSF
By using ET and using a P-channel MOSFET for the other switching means, the first and second switching means can be configured in a complementary manner.

By the way, the switching means is allowed to have a drive terminal. The drive is turned on when a drive signal of a predetermined polarity is supplied to the drive terminal. Enhancement type MOS
In a FET, when a gate voltage as a drive signal is applied between a gate as a drive terminal and a source, a channel is formed and the FET is turned on. Therefore, the off state is maintained when no gate voltage is applied.

"Connected in series so that a smoothing DC voltage is applied" means that the first and second switching means are connected in series as viewed from the partial smoothing circuit. Other circuit components such as inductors and resistors may be interposed between the first and second switching means and the partial smoothing circuit. In addition, the first and second
Circuit components may be interposed between the switching means.

In order for the switching means to perform high-frequency switching, a starting circuit, a drive circuit, and the like are added to the high-frequency inverter. The drive circuit may be either a self-excited type or a separately-excited type. In the case of the self-excited type, a switching current is determined by feeding back a current flowing through a load circuit described later to operate a switching resonance circuit. To feed back the high-frequency current flowing through the load circuit, for example, a feedback winding can be magnetically coupled to the current limiting inductance, or a primary winding of a current transformer dedicated to feedback can be inserted into the load circuit. On the other hand, in the case of the separately excited type, an oscillation circuit for a drive signal is used, and the switching frequency is determined based on the oscillation frequency.

(Regarding the load circuit) The load circuit is a circuit means for operating the high frequency alternating current to turn on the fluorescent lamp by alternately switching the first and second switching means. In order to start and turn on the fluorescent lamp, a current limiting inductance, a starting circuit and the like can be provided. Further, a DC cut capacitor can be included so that a DC component does not flow into the load circuit from the high frequency inverter. Further, as a starting circuit, for example, a resonance capacitor forming a series resonance circuit with a current limiting inductance can be connected in parallel with the fluorescent lamp. Furthermore, an electrode heating circuit can be provided to heat the pair of electrodes of the fluorescent lamp to a required temperature.

<Cover> The cover accommodates at least the lighting circuit means therein, supports the fluorescent lamp, and supports the base at the base end. Furthermore, in a bulb-type fluorescent lamp provided with a globe, the globe is fixed to the cover.

An auxiliary member such as a partition plate can be used to house and fix the lighting circuit means inside the cover. That is, the wiring board can be housed in the cover by supporting the wiring board on the partition plate and mounting the partition plate on the cover so as to close the opening end of the cover. In this case, the partition plate can be further fixed to the cover together with the glove.
However, needless to say, the wiring board can be directly supported and stored in the cover.

A partition plate can also be used to support the fluorescent lamp on the cover. That is, the fluorescent lamp is supported by the partition plate, and the partition plate is fixed to the opening end of the cover. Thus, by attaching the partition plate to the opening end of the cover, it is possible to prevent unnecessary opening of the cover.

Further, the cover is preferably formed thin from the middle portion to the base portion in order to support the base at the base end and increase the adaptability to the lighting fixture for incandescent lamps.
However, the shape of the entire cover should be determined in consideration of the design as a compact fluorescent lamp. That is, it is natural that the shape of the cover differs greatly between the cover having the glove and the cover not having the glove and exposing the fluorescent lamp, mainly due to design considerations.

The shape of the cover should be different depending on the shape of the glove. For example, in the case of a G-shaped globe, the cover can be shaped like a portion of a sphere so that it cooperates with the glove to form a shape close to a G-shaped valve. Also, in the case of an A-shaped globe, the cover can be formed into a shape as close to an A-shaped valve as possible in cooperation with the glove.

<Regarding the Base> The base is a power receiving means and functions as a means for mechanically supporting the light bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp. A known base can be appropriately selected and used, but an E26 screw base, which is widely used as a bulb-type fluorescent lamp, is appropriate.

The means for supporting the base on the cover is not particularly limited, and may be supported by known support means, for example, mechanical fixing by a punch, ie, caulking.

<Other Configurations> A phase control type dimmer (hereinafter, simply referred to as “dimer” unless otherwise required) is generally not a circuit element constituting a bulb-type fluorescent lamp. It is used by being buried in a wall surface in a room or built in a lighting fixture, but in the present invention, it is allowed to be incorporated in a bulb-type fluorescent lamp if necessary. The dimmer mainly includes a phase control element and an operation circuit for controlling the ON phase of the phase control element. The phase control element is a contactless switch element such as a triac or thyristor. The operation circuit supplies a conduction signal of a desired phase to a control terminal of the phase control element, and includes a phase shift circuit in which a variable resistor and a capacitor are connected in series, and a trigger element such as a diac.
Further, a capacitor is connected in parallel with the phase control element so as to absorb noise generated by switching of the phase control element.

<Operation of the Present Invention> In the present invention, it has been found that dimming characteristics are improved by using a partial smoothing circuit as a smoothing circuit for smoothing a non-smooth DC voltage of a rectifier circuit. That is, the dimming changes the conduction angle of the non-smooth DC voltage, but in the partial smoothing circuit, the magnitude of the input current flowing from the rectifier circuit to the partial smoothing circuit changes according to the conduction angle of the non-smoothing DC voltage. At the same time, the smoothed DC voltage also changes. Therefore, a change in the conduction angle due to dimming and the magnitude of the lamp current supplied to the fluorescent lamp show a correlation. As a result, dimming is smooth, and dimming characteristics are improved.

Further, since the circuit configuration is simple, it is possible to obtain a bulb-type fluorescent lamp capable of dimming at low cost.

As can be understood from the above description, the light bulb-type fluorescent lamp of the present invention is capable of dimming with relatively good dimming characteristics when lit in combination with a dimmer. It can be turned on without combining with a container.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the light bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp according to the first aspect, wherein the lighting circuit means includes a load resonance circuit whose load circuit includes a current limiting inductance and a resonance capacitor. And a protection circuit for turning off the fluorescent lamp when the smoothing DC voltage of the smoothing circuit becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value. It is characterized by.

The load circuit includes a load resonance circuit including at least a current limiting inductance and a resonance capacitor, and a fluorescent lamp is connected in parallel to at least a part of the resonance capacitor. The current limiting inductance is
The lamp is connected in series with the fluorescent lamp to compensate for the negative characteristics of the fluorescent lamp and stabilize the lamp current at a predetermined value. Also,
The current limiting inductance can be constituted by a choke coil, a leakage transformer, or the like. Further, a DC cut capacitor can be included as a part of the resonance capacitor. This makes it possible to employ a circuit system that is conductively connected to the high-frequency inverter. In general, a DC cut capacitor uses a capacitor having a large capacitance, so that it hardly contributes to the load resonance circuit, but makes the capacitance relatively small and takes charge of an obvious part of the resonance capacitor of the load resonance circuit. It can also be configured as follows. The fluorescent lamp is connected in parallel with part or all of the resonance capacitor.

When a plurality of smoothing capacitors are used in the smoothing circuit, a smoothed DC voltage can be detected from all or some of the terminal voltages. Also, the smoothing circuit is
The present invention is not limited to the capacitor input type smoothing circuit and the partial smoothing circuit.

The present invention includes a protection circuit for turning off the fluorescent lamp when the smoothed DC voltage of the smoothing circuit falls below a predetermined value. That is, when the dimming degree is advanced and reaches the dimming lower limit, a phase control element such as a triac of the dimmer malfunctions due to a decrease in load power. When a malfunction occurs, the positive and negative conduction periods of the low-frequency alternating current differ. As a result, there is a flicker of brightness in the emission of the fluorescent lamp.

For this reason, when the flicker of brightness occurs, it is necessary to detect the flicker by some means and turn off the fluorescent lamp to protect it.

Conventionally, a voltage detecting circuit for detecting the voltage of the fluorescent lamp is provided for protection, but the circuit configuration becomes complicated and causes an increase in cost.

On the other hand, in the present invention, the flicker of the brightness of the fluorescent lamp causes a change in the load impedance of the fluorescent lamp, which is accompanied by an increase in the resonance current flowing through the load circuit. Then, the smoothing capacitor discharges its charge due to the increase in the resonance current, so that the terminal voltage decreases. Therefore, when the voltage of the smoothing capacitor falls below a predetermined value, the fluorescent lamp is turned off to protect it. The turning off of the fluorescent lamp can be performed, for example, by stopping the switching of the switching means.

When a partial smoothing circuit is used as the smoothing circuit, the discharge disappears easily at the valley of the smoothed voltage. Therefore, when the fluorescent lamp is turned off, the resonance current increases more remarkably. As a result, the reduction of the smoothing voltage becomes remarkable, so that the detection of the flicker of the brightness becomes more reliable. Further, when the core is configured so that the current-limiting inductance is saturated when the resonance current increases, the detection is further facilitated. Furthermore, when the switching of the switching means is stopped, the resistor is connected in parallel to the smoothing capacitor, and by flowing the current,
The protection state can be continued by maintaining the terminal voltage of the smoothing capacitor in the lowered state.

The light bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp according to the third aspect of the present invention is the light bulb shaped fluorescent lamp according to the first or second aspect, wherein the lighting circuit means turns off the fluorescent lamp when the dimming level is near the lower limit of the dimming and sets a low frequency. It is characterized by having a protection circuit for passing a current from an AC power supply.

The present invention defines a configuration having a protection circuit when the lighting of the fluorescent lamp is near the dimming lower limit. That is, the protection circuit detects when the dimming level is near the lower limit, turns off the fluorescent lamp, and allows the input current to flow.

The detection when the fluorescent lamp is near the dimming lower limit may be performed by using an appropriate means. For example, means for monitoring and detecting the lamp voltage of the fluorescent lamp, means for monitoring and detecting the terminal voltage of the smoothing capacitor, and the like can be used. The smoothing circuit may be any of a capacitor input type smoothing circuit and a partial smoothing circuit.

The means for turning off the fluorescent lamp is not particularly limited. For example, a configuration can be employed in which the switching of the switching means is stopped to stop high-frequency oscillation.

The input current may flow continuously regardless of the phase of the input voltage, or may flow only near the zero cross. Also,
The input current may flow only near the dimming lower limit.

Thus, according to the present invention, when the fluorescent lamp cannot be turned on normally, the fluorescent lamp is turned off, so that the brightness does not actually flicker. In addition, when a current flows at least near the zero crossing when the light is turned off, a malfunction of the dimmer can be prevented. In addition, since the current flows only near the zero cross, it is possible to minimize the power loss. Further, by supplying a current as described above when the light is turned off, the oscillation stop state can be maintained.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light-bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp, wherein a light-transmitting discharge vessel is formed in a compact shape so that a bent discharge path is formed therein, and an inner surface of the light-transmitting discharge vessel. A fluorescent layer provided with a phosphor layer, a pair of filament electrodes sealed at both ends of a translucent discharge vessel, and a fluorescent lamp including an ionization medium sealed in the translucent discharge vessel; The input terminal connected to the low-frequency AC power supply via the optical device, the noise filter connected to the input terminal, the rectifier circuit whose AC input terminal is connected to the output terminal side of the noise filter, the unsmoothed DC output voltage of the rectifier circuit A smoothing circuit for smoothing and at least discharging via a filament electrode of the fluorescent lamp, a first switching means and a second switch connected in series so that a smoothing DC voltage of the smoothing circuit is applied; Lighting circuit means comprising: a switching means; and a load circuit for lighting a fluorescent lamp by operating with a high-frequency alternating current generated by alternately switching the first and second switching means; A cover for supporting the lamp; and a base connected to the input end of the lighting circuit means and disposed at a base end of the cover.

The present invention specifies a configuration in which at least discharge among charging and discharging performed to the smoothing circuit is performed via the filament electrode.

The smoothing circuit may be either a capacitor input type smoothing circuit or a partial smoothing circuit. When a plurality of smoothing capacitors are used in the smoothing circuit, it is possible to charge or discharge all or some of the smoothing capacitors via the filament electrode.
Further, it is possible to configure so that one or both of charging and discharging to and from the smoothing circuit pass through the filament electrode. Further, it can pass through one or both of the pair of filament electrodes. However, the circuit design is facilitated by making the configuration to pass through the filament electrode on the low voltage side.

In the present invention, the following operations and effects can be obtained.

(1) The charging or discharging current of the smoothing capacitor can be suppressed from becoming an inrush current.

(2) Since the filament electrode can be heated by charging or discharging current of the smoothing capacitor, the circuit efficiency is improved by preventing power loss.

(3) If the filament electrode is disconnected, the smoothing circuit is disabled, so that other loads connected to the same dimmer are not adversely affected. If the charging / discharging of the smoothing circuit does not pass through the filament electrode, if the filament electrode is disconnected, only the charging / discharging of the smoothing capacitor will continue, and other loads connected to the same dimmer will flicker in brightness. Is generated.

(4) In the case where the smoothing circuit is a partial smoothing circuit and the filament electrode is heated by the discharge current of the smoothing capacitor, the filament electrode heating current, that is, the discharge current flows only in the trough of the lamp current. During this period, as the DC voltage decreases due to the discharge of the smoothing capacitor, the lamp current also decreases, and the filament electrode temperature decreases. Therefore, this period is when the filament electrode needs the most heating. In such a case, the filament electrode can be heated, so that the filament electrode temperature can be appropriately maintained. Thus, the fluorescent lamp is stably turned on.

In the case of the same configuration as 54, since the heating period and the heating current of the filament electrode can be changed according to the number of partially smoothed stages, the circuit design becomes easy.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the bulb-type fluorescent lamp according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the crest factor of the lamp current at the time of all-light lighting is set to 1.7 or more. It is characterized by having.

When a power supply voltage phase-controlled by a parallel capacitor is applied to a low-frequency AC power supply included in the noise filter, a steep rising portion due to the phase control of the power supply voltage causes a pulse-like current to flow. When the light flows through the dimmer with zero crossing, the triac is turned off, which causes a problem of flickering of brightness. In addition, when the bulb-type fluorescent lamp is connected to the low-frequency AC power supply via the dimmer, even if the dimmer is set to the all-light side, the output voltage has an off period of about 20%. Therefore, the above-described problem occurs regardless of the dimming degree.

Therefore, conventionally, in order to prevent this problem, a series circuit of a resistor and a capacitor is connected in parallel with the noise filter. With this series circuit, a current having a longer time width than a pulse-shaped current flowing through the noise filter flows to prevent the above-mentioned zero crossing.

However, since the resistors in the series circuit cause power loss, there is a problem that the circuit efficiency is reduced accordingly.

On the other hand, in the present invention, the instantaneous value of the voltage output at the end of the shortest OFF period of the dimmer is 7
Since the voltage is about 0 V, if the smoothing voltage of the smoothing capacitor is set to 70 V or less, the charging of the smoothing capacitor is started at the moment when the output voltage of the dimmer is applied, and the charging current flows. It is possible to prevent zero crossing due to a pulsed current by the filter. To set the smoothing voltage of the smoothing capacitor to 70 V or less, the crest factor of the envelope of the high-frequency lamp current flowing through the fluorescent lamp may be set to 1.7 or more. The crest factor can be set to 1.7 or more simply by using a three-stage partial smoothing circuit for the smoothing circuit.

Thus, in the present invention, malfunction of the dimmer can be prevented with a simple circuit configuration, and there is no need to add a circuit that causes a power loss, thereby improving circuit efficiency.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light-bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp, wherein the light-transmitting discharge vessel is formed in a compact shape such that a bent discharge path is formed therein, and an inner surface of the light-transmitting discharge vessel. A fluorescent lamp provided with a phosphor layer disposed in the light-transmitting discharge container, a pair of electrodes sealed at both ends of the light-transmitting discharge container, and an ionization medium sealed in the light-transmitting discharge container; Input terminal connected to a low-frequency AC power supply via a filter, a noise filter connected to the input terminal, a rectifier circuit with an AC input terminal connected to the output terminal side of the noise filter, and a smoothed DC output voltage of the rectifier circuit Circuit that outputs a DC output voltage that has been partially smoothed and converted, switching means connected so that the DC output voltage of the smoothing circuit is applied, and high-frequency AC generated by switching of the switching means A lighting circuit comprising a load circuit for operating the fluorescent lamp by operating the lamp, the lamp current of the waveform envelope is applied when the light is full, and the lamp current is extinguished during the non-conduction period of the dimmer when the light is dimmed. Means for receiving the lighting circuit means therein and supporting the fluorescent lamp; and a base connected to the input end of the lighting circuit means and arranged at the base end of the cover. Features.

The present invention defines a configuration in which the lighting of the fluorescent lamp during the so-called valley filling period is set to the re-ignition lighting mode during the dimming in the partial smoothing of the low-frequency AC voltage.

In the partial smoothing, the valley filling period is a period during which the rectified output of the rectifier circuit is not charged in the smoothing capacitor. Therefore, during this period, the electric energy for lighting the fluorescent lamp discharges the charge accumulated in the smoothing capacitor. Then, the fluorescent lamp is energized after being converted into a high-frequency AC voltage by the switching means. In order to light the fluorescent lamp in the continuous lighting mode during such a period, it is necessary to increase the electrostatic charge of the smoothing capacitor to increase the charge. To realize this, it is necessary to design the circuit configuration as required, for example, to have three or more partial smoothing circuits. The three-stage partial smoothing circuit has a circuit configuration in which three or more smoothing capacitors are connected in series and charged, and each smoothing capacitor is connected in parallel and discharged. However, when a partial smoothing circuit having three or more stages is employed, the combined capacitance of the smoothing capacitors increases and the number of smoothing capacitors also increases. for that reason,
There is a problem that not only the number of components is increased, the mounting time is increased, the cost is increased, but also the lighting circuit means is enlarged. Also, during the valley filling period, the output voltage of the smoothing circuit decreases. Therefore, in the case of a configuration in which the continuous lighting mode is continued during that period, it is necessary to stabilize discharge by setting the resonance voltage of the load circuit high. However, with such a circuit configuration, discharge instability is likely to occur due to changes in the ambient temperature (particularly at low temperatures), and therefore, flicker in brightness occurs. Further, it is common to use an electrolytic capacitor as the smoothing capacitor. However, when the discharge amount of the electrolytic capacitor is large, a large rush current flows during the conduction period of the dimmer. Such a large inrush current not only gives stress to the dimmer, but also causes various problems such as reducing the reliability of the electrolytic capacitor.

On the other hand, according to the present invention, the above-described various problems can be solved by the configuration described above. In other words, the power consumption during the valley filling period is reduced by setting the lighting during the valley filling period in the partial smoothing at the time of dimming to the re-ignition lighting mode. To set the re-ignition lighting mode, for example, a two-stage partial smoothing circuit is used to reduce the smoothness of the valley-filled portion, select a small capacitance of the smoothing capacitor, or reduce the open circuit voltage of the load circuit. It can be realized by setting or doing.

However, even if the fluorescent lamp is turned off during the valley filling period, it is allowed to continue the filament heating operation. For this purpose, it is preferable to appropriately set the capacitance of the smoothing capacitor so that the switching operation by the switching means continues to generate a high-frequency voltage even during the valley filling period. In this case, if the open circuit voltage of the load circuit decreases too much with the decrease of the smoothing voltage, the filament preheating amount becomes insufficient and blackening occurs.In such a case, an appropriate filament preheating amount can be secured. The capacitance of the smoothing capacitor should be selected in advance.

On the other hand, in the case of full light, the fluorescent lamp is configured to be lit in the continuous lighting mode even during the period of partially smooth valley filling.

As can be understood from the above description, in the present invention, the specific circuit configurations of the smoothing circuit, the switching means, and the control circuit thereof are not particularly limited.

Thus, in the present invention, the valley filling period in the partial smoothing is set to the re-ignition lighting mode at the time of dimming, so that it is small, inexpensive, and even when dimming. It is possible to obtain a bulb-type fluorescent lamp without flicker in brightness.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the bulb-type fluorescent lamp according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the amplitude modulation of the envelope of the lamp current at the time of all light is 60% or less. The amplitude modulation degree of the envelope of the lamp current at the dimming lower limit is 70% or more.

According to the present invention, the luminous efficiency at the time of all light is increased and the luminous efficiency at the time of light control is reduced by defining the amplitude modulation degree of the lamp current at the time of all light and the lower limit of dimming. It was made. That is, in the case of a circuit system for lighting a fluorescent lamp with a high-frequency AC voltage formed by switching a sufficiently smoothed DC voltage, the amplitude modulation degree of the envelope of the high-frequency lamp current becomes small, and relatively high-efficiency light emission is performed. . Therefore, when the fluorescent lamp is all-lighted and dimmed by such a circuit system, the efficiency is high from the whole light to the dimming lower limit.

By the way, in the case of a light bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp for dimming, it is desirable that the total luminous flux is desirably reduced with a relatively large input power during dimming, in other words, the luminous efficiency is reduced. This is because the filament can be sufficiently heated even during light control. On the other hand, if the efficiency is high from the total light to the lower limit of dimming as described above, filament heating during dimming tends to be insufficient. However, conventionally, a lighting circuit means that has high luminous efficiency at all light and low luminous efficiency at dimming is not only difficult to design, but even if it can be designed, it is large and There was a problem that it was easily expensive.

On the other hand, according to the present invention, as described above, the low-frequency AC voltage is rectified, and the high-frequency voltage obtained by switching the partially smoothed DC voltage switches the lamp current flowing when the fluorescent lamp is lit at high frequency. The amplitude modulation degree of the envelope is set to a predetermined value range for all light and for dimming. That is, as a result of the research by the present inventors, if the amplitude modulation degree of the envelope of the lamp current at the time of all light is 60% or less, high luminous efficiency almost equivalent to that at the modulation degree of 0% can be obtained. On the other hand, when the amplitude modulation degree is 7
It has been found that the luminous efficiency drops sharply when it becomes 0% or more. The present invention has been made based on this finding, and has a high luminous efficiency by setting the amplitude modulation factor in all light to 60% or less, and the amplitude modulation factor at the lower limit of dimming is 70%.
% Or more, preferably 80% or more, the luminous efficiency can be reduced. Therefore, by narrowing the dimmer until the conduction angle of the dimmer becomes smaller, the dimming lower limit where the total luminous flux is small can be reduced without making the input power to the fluorescent lamp extremely small.

Thus, in the present invention, the light is emitted with high efficiency at the time of full light, and the luminous efficiency is lowered at the lower limit of dimming. A luminous flux change is obtained. In addition, since the input power at the light control lower limit becomes relatively large, the filament heating can be improved even near the light control lower limit. Thereby, damage to the filament electrode is reduced.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described below. When the amplitude modulation degree is designed to be about 85%, the lamp current is about 50 mA and the lamp power is about 3 W at the lower limit of dimming, and the total luminous flux at that time is 130 lm. On the other hand, in the comparative example in which the amplitude modulation degree of the lamp current is substantially 0% by performing sufficient smoothing, the lamp current is 20 mA and the lamp power is 2 W at the lower limit of dimming. The light flux is also 130 lm. In any of the above, the lamp current was 250 m
A, lamp power 19 W, total luminous flux 1370 lm.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the light bulb shaped fluorescent lamp according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the light control lower limit is turned off when the dimmer conduction time is t1. The dimmer is configured to restart when the conduction time of the dimmer is t2 longer than t1, and is provided with a re-input detecting means for detecting the re-input of the AC power supply. It is characterized in that it is configured to start when the conduction time of the dimmer is equal to or longer than t1 when the switch-on is detected.

The present invention specifies a configuration in which the starting is performed even at or near the lower limit of dimming when the AC power is turned on again. That is, the conduction time at the lower limit of dimming of the fluorescent lamp is t
If it is set to 1, the restart is generally set so that the conduction time is t2 longer than the t1 by a predetermined time, thereby increasing the stability of blinking. Therefore, in the conventional bulb-type fluorescent lamp, when the AC power supply is turned off near the lower limit of dimming, the dimmer must be operated in all light directions until the conduction time reaches t2 in order to turn on again. . Therefore, the operation is troublesome.

On the other hand, in the present invention, since the configuration is as described above, with the dimming degree fixed near the dimming lower limit, the on / off of the AC power supply is performed without performing the dimming operation. Only with the bulb-shaped fluorescent lamp can blink.

The specific circuit configuration is not limited as long as the re-input detecting means can detect the re-input of the AC power supply and start the operation of the lighting circuit means.

The lighting circuit means is configured to be able to start the fluorescent lamp even during the conduction time at or near the lower limit of dimming. For example, the lighting circuit means may include a step-up transformer so that a high starting voltage can be output even near the lower limit of dimming.

Thus, in the present invention, the fluorescent lamp can be started in the conduction time t1 of the dimming lower limit when the AC power is turned on again by the power-on detection means.
Even when the dimming degree is fixed near the dimming lower limit, the bulb-type fluorescent lamp can be turned on and off only by turning on and off the AC power supply.

[0104]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the compact fluorescent lamp of the present invention.
It is a partial sectional front view showing the embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the glove as seen through.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view.

In each figure, 1 is a fluorescent lamp, 2 is lighting circuit means, 3 is a cover, 4 is a base, 5 is a globe, and 6 is a partition plate.

[About Fluorescent Lamp 1] Fluorescent Lamp 1
Includes a light-transmitting discharge vessel 1a, a phosphor layer, an ionizing medium, and an electrode 1b.

The light transmitting discharge vessel 1a has four outer diameters of 10 m.
The U-shaped glass tubes 1a1 of m are connected by three connecting tubes 1a2, and the U-shaped glass tubes 1a1 are formed so as to be equally distributed on the circumference. Each U-shaped glass tube 1a1
Has seal portions 1a3 formed at both ends thereof, and one thin tube 1a4 is formed into one seal portion 1a3.
From the outside. The thin tube 1a4 communicates with the inside of the translucent discharge vessel 1a. Then, the inside of the light-transmissive discharge vessel 1 is evacuated and used for storing main amalgam (not shown) and for filling a rare gas. The connecting pipe 1a2 is
It is formed by blow-down method.

Although not shown, the phosphor layer is mainly composed of a three-wavelength light emitting phosphor, and is mainly composed of alumina fine particles (not shown) on the inner surface side of the translucent discharge vessel 1a. Is formed via a protective film.

The ionizing medium consists of amalgam and argon. Amalgam consists of main amalgam and auxiliary amalgam. The main amalgam is a translucent discharge vessel 1
In the narrow tube 1a4. The main amalgam is made of Bi-In-Hg containing 6% by weight of Hg, and encapsulates three particles having a particle size of about 2.5 mm. The auxiliary amalgam (not shown) is formed by plating a thin plate of stainless steel with indium In, and is welded to the lead wire so as to be located near the main amalgam.

The electrode 1b is constituted by a filament electrode. The electrode 1b is formed by coating a double coil made of a tungsten wire with an oxide of an electron emitting material made of an alkaline earth metal.

[Regarding Lighting Circuit Means 2] The lighting circuit means 2 is mainly composed of a half-bridge type inverter, although the details of its circuit configuration will be described later.
The fluorescent lamp 1 is energized and turned on, and is housed in a cover 3 described later. And the high frequency output end
It is connected to the fluorescent lamp 1 as required as described later.
The lighting circuit means 2 includes a wiring board 2a and a circuit component 2b mounted thereon. The main circuit component 2b is mounted on the lower surface of the wiring board 2a in the figure. On the other hand, since the circuit component 2b has an inverted truncated conical shape in the cavity inside the cover 3, the circuit component 2b has a generally inverted conical shape with the circuit component such as a tall capacitor as the apex. It is mounted on the wiring board 2a. A pair of switching means Q1 and Q2 is a drain-exposed molded package type MOSFE having a DIP terminal.
Consists of T.

[Cover 3] The cover 3 is formed by molding a white light-shielding heat-resistant synthetic resin into a cup-shaped cylinder. Then, the base end 3a is narrowed narrowly,
b is open and the inside forms a cavity for housing circuit components.

[Regarding the base 4] The base 4 is made of an E26 type screw base, and is attached to the base end 3a of the cover 3 by caulking with a punch. The input end of the lighting circuit means 2 is connected to the center contact of the base 4 and the base shell.

[Regarding Globe 5] The globe 5 has a milky white light diffusing property by applying light diffusing fine particles to the inner surface of a transparent glass bulb, and has an A-shape.
Siege. And the base end of the glove 5 is the cover 3
Glove 5 and cover 3
Form an envelope AJ.

[About the partition plate 6] The partition plate 6 supports the fluorescent lamp 1 and the wiring board 2a, and divides the inside of the envelope AJ into a light emitting room A and a lighting circuit storage room B.

The partition plate 6 has the following structure for supporting the fluorescent lamp 1 and the lighting circuit means 2 and fixing the same together with the globe 5 to the cover 3.

That is, the partition plate 6 is provided with a cylindrical portion 6a which is opened downward in the figure and whose top is closed, and a flange portion 6b which protrudes outside the cylindrical portion 6a. And the cylindrical part 6a
Of the translucent discharge vessel 1a of the fluorescent lamp 1
An insertion hole 6a2 for inserting the vicinity of the seal portion at both ends of the U-shaped glass tube 1a1 is formed, and the vicinity of the seal portion of the U-shaped glass tube 1a1 is inserted and bonded with a silicone adhesive (not shown). The fluorescent lamp 1 is supported and fixed on a partition plate 6.

The wiring board 2a is inserted and supported inside the lower end of the cylindrical portion 6a of the partition plate 6.

Further, the flange 6b of the partition plate 6 is
The partition plate 6 is inserted into the cover 3 so as to be in contact with the inner surface near the opening, and is fixed with a silicone adhesive (not shown) with the open end of the glove 5 inserted into the open end of the cover 3 from above. Have been.

[Circuit Configuration of Lighting Circuit Means 2] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing lighting circuit means and a dimmer in the first embodiment of the bulb-type fluorescent lamp of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing an internal circuit of the dimmer.

In the figure, AS is a low frequency AC power supply, DM
Is a dimmer, a and b are input terminals, NF is a noise filter, F
BR is a rectifier circuit, PSC is a partial smoothing circuit, Q1 and Q2 are first and second switching means, LC is a load circuit,
FL is a fluorescent lamp, FDG is a feedback drive signal generation circuit, PC is a protection circuit, and ST is a start circuit. Each of the above components will be described.

<Regarding the Low-frequency AC Power Supply AS> The low-frequency AC power supply AS is a commercial 100 V AC power supply.

<Dimmer DM> The dimmer DM is of a two-wire type as shown in FIG. 5, and has terminals t1 and t2, a triac TRIAC, an operation circuit OC and a capacitor C.
2 is provided. The terminal t1 is connected to the upper pole of the low-frequency AC power supply AS in FIG. The terminal t2 is similarly connected to the input terminal a. Further, a triac TRIAC and a capacitor C3 are connected in parallel between the terminals t1 and t2. The operation circuit OC includes a phase shift circuit PSC and a diac DIAC. The phase shift circuit PSC is
It consists of a series circuit of a variable resistor R1 and a capacitor C2, and is connected in parallel to a TRIAC TRIAC.
The diac DIAC is connected between the phase shift output terminal and the trigger terminal of the triac TRIAC.

<Regarding input terminals a and b> Input terminals a and b
Constitutes an input end of the lighting circuit means, and is connected to the base 4 in FIG.

<Regarding Noise Filter NF> The noise filter NF is composed of an inductor L1 inserted in series between the low-frequency AC power supply AS and the rectifier circuit FBR, and a line between the dimmer DM and the rectifier circuit FBR. A high-frequency noise generated by switching of the first and second switching means Q1 and Q2 is removed so as not to flow to the low-frequency AC power supply AS side.

<Regarding Rectifier Circuit FBR> Rectifier Circuit FB
R is a bridge type full-wave rectifier circuit, and its AC input terminal is connected between the output terminals of the noise filter NF. In addition, a resistor R2 of a small resistor is connected in series with the DC output terminal, and the first and second switching means Q1,
The rush current is prevented from flowing out to the Q2 side.

<Regarding the Partial Smoothing Circuit PSC> The partial smoothing circuit PSC has three smoothing capacitors C5, C6, C
7, a three-stage configuration including diodes D1 to D6 and a high-frequency bypass capacitor C8. That is, the smoothing capacitor C5, the diode D1, the smoothing capacitor C
6. A series circuit formed by connecting the diode D2 and the smoothing capacitor C7 in the forward direction is connected between the DC output terminals of the rectifier circuit FBR via the resistor R2 to form a charging circuit. The diodes D3, D4, D5, and D6 are connected as shown in the figure, and the charges of the smoothing capacitors C5, C6, and C7 are transferred in parallel to the first and second switching means Q1 and Q2. It is configured to discharge. The charges of the smoothing capacitors C5 and C6 are connected so as to be discharged via an electrode E2 of the fluorescent lamp FL described later. The high-frequency bypass capacitor C8 is connected in parallel to the series circuit so that the high frequency generated by the first and second switching means Q1 and Q2 is supplied to the rectifier circuit F
A bypass operation is performed so as not to flow out to the RC side.

<Regarding First and Second Switching Means> The first switching means Q1 is composed of an N-channel MOSFET. Then, the drain of the first switching means Q1 is connected to the positive electrode of the partial smoothing circuit PSC. The second switching means Q2 comprises a P-channel MOSFET. When the source of the second switching means Q2 is connected to the source of the first switching means Q1 and the drain is connected to the negative electrode of the partial smoothing circuit PSC, the first and second switching elements Q1, Q2 are partially connected. They are connected in series so that the smoothing DC voltage of the smoothing circuit PSC is applied.

<About Load Circuit LC> Load Circuit LC
Is a DC cut capacitor C9, a step-up transformer SUT,
It is constituted by a series circuit of a current limiting inductance L2 and a resonance capacitor C10, and is connected in parallel to the second switching means Q2. The primary winding wp of the feedback transformer NST of the feedback drive signal generation circuit FDG described later is inserted in series with the load circuit LC. Since the capacitance of the DC cut capacitor C9 is relatively large, the current limiting inductance L2 and the resonance capacitor 10 mainly form a resonance circuit. The step-up transformer SUT has a single-turn transformer structure, and the fluorescent lamp FL
Is boosted to a required value, and its primary winding is connected in parallel to the load circuit LC via a capacitor C11. Further, an extension coil w1 is disposed in the current limiting inductance L2 so as to form a single-turn transformer structure.

<About Fluorescent Lamp FL> Fluorescent Lamp F
L is connected in parallel to the resonance capacitor C10 of the load circuit LC. The electrode E1 has a current-limiting inductance L2
And is heated by the voltage induced in the extension coil w1 when the load current flows through the current limiting inductance L2. The electrode E2 is connected to the diodes D3 and D5 so as to be heated by the discharge current of the smoothing capacitors C5 and C6 of the partial smoothing circuit PSC.

<Regarding Feedback Drive Signal Generation Circuit FDG> The feedback drive signal generation circuit FDG includes a feedback transformer NST, a drive resonance circuit DRC, and a drive protection circuit DP.

The feedback transformer NST has a core and a primary winding wp.
And the secondary winding ws. The core is constituted by a drum-shaped ferrite core, and the magnetic path is open. One end of the primary winding wp is connected to one end of the secondary winding ws, that is, the sources of the first and second switching means Q1 and Q2, and the other end is connected to one end of the current limiting inductance L2. Therefore, the primary winding wp is inserted in series with the load circuit LC. One end of the secondary winding ws is connected to the sources of the first and second switching means Q1, Q2.

The drive resonance circuit DRC includes a feedback transformer N
ST secondary winding ws and drive resonance capacitor C1
2 are connected in parallel to form a series resonance circuit formed by the inductance of the secondary winding ws and the capacitance of the capacitor C12. That is, one end of the capacitor C12 is connected in parallel to the secondary winding ws. Then, the connection point on the high voltage side of the capacitor C12 and the secondary winding ws is connected to the gates of the first and second switching means Q1 and Q2 via the capacitor C13 and the resistor R3 in series, respectively. Are connected to the sources of the first and second switching means Q1, Q2.

Thus, the feedback voltage induced in the secondary winding ws causes series resonance in the drive resonance circuit DRC.

The drive protection circuit DP comprises an anti-series circuit of a pair of Zener diodes ZD1 and ZD2.
And the second switching means Q1, Q2 are connected between the gate and the source.

<About the protection circuit PC> The protection circuit PC
Comprises a flicker detection circuit FD, an oscillation stop circuit OS, a current flow circuit CP, and a hysteresis generation circuit HG.

The flicker detection circuit FD comprises a Zener diode ZD3, resistors R4, R5, R6, R7 and a switch Q3, and detects the terminal voltage of the smoothing capacitor C7 of the partial smoothing circuit PSC. That is, it is connected in parallel to the smoothing capacitor C7, and the connection point of the resistors R4 and R5 is connected to the gate of the switch Q3. The switch Q3
Consists of MOSFETs. Resistor R6 and resistor R
7 is connected in series and connected in parallel to a series circuit of a Zener diode ZD3 and resistors R4 and R5. The drain and the source of the switch Q3 are connected in parallel to the resistor R7.

The oscillation stop circuit OS comprises a switch Q4 and a diode D7. Switch Q4 has its gate connected to the junction of resistors R6 and R7. The diode D8 has its anode connected to the gates of the first and second switching means Q1, Q2 via a resistor R3, respectively.

The current flow circuit CP includes a diode D8, a resistor R8, and a switch Q4. Diode D8
Has an anode connected to the positive electrode of the partial smoothing circuit PSC, and a cathode connected to one end of the resistor R8. The other end of the resistor R8 is connected to the drain of the switch Q4. The switch Q4 is connected to the switch Q4 of the oscillation stop circuit OS.
Is also serving.

The hysteresis generation circuit HG includes a dimmer DM
When the AC power supply AS is turned on even after the fluorescent lamp FL is turned off due to the dimming lower limit in the conduction period t1 of the above, the dimmer DM is operated to restart the conduction period until t2 is longer than t1. This is a circuit means for providing a hysteresis characteristic so as not to start. And it consists of a diode D9 and a resistor R9. The diode D9 has a cathode connected to the drain of the switch Q4 and an anode connected to one end of the resistor R9. The other end of the resistor R9 is connected to the gate of the switch Q3.

<About starting circuit ST> Starting circuit ST
Consists of a resistor R10, a resistor R3 connected to the gate of the first switching means Q1, a drive protection circuit DP, and a capacitor C14. The resistor R10 is connected between the input terminal b and the gate of the first switching means Q1. The capacitor C14 is connected between the source and the drain of the second switching means Q2.

[Circuit Operation] First, the high-frequency generation operation when the dimmer DM is not connected will be described. When the low-frequency AC power supply AS is turned on, the partial smoothing circuit P
The SC applies a smoothed DC voltage between the drain and source of the first and second switching means Q1, Q2 connected in series. However, the first and second switching means Q1, Q2 remain off because no gate voltage is applied.

On the other hand, the low-frequency AC voltage is also applied to the starting circuit ST at the same time as the above. Thereby, the resistor R1
The AC voltage is divided and appears at both ends of the drive protection circuit DP via 0, R3 and the capacitor C14. As a result, the switching means in which the voltage drop generated in the drive protection circuit becomes a forward direction between the gate and the source of the first and second switching means Q1, Q2 is turned on. For example, when the first switching means Q1 is turned on,
The switching means Q2 maintains the off state because the voltage drop of the drive protection circuit DP is in the opposite direction.

When the first switching means Q1 is turned on, the load circuit LC, that is, the positive electrode of the partial smoothing circuit PSC is connected in series with the drain / source of the first switching means Q1 and the primary winding wp of the feedback transformer NST. An exciting current flows through the current limiting inductance L2, the DC cut capacitor C9, the primary winding of the boost transformer SUT, the capacitor C11, and the negative electrode path of the partial smoothing circuit PSC. At this time, a step-up voltage is induced in the secondary winding of the step-up transformer SUT and applied to the series part of the current-limiting inductance L2 of the load circuit LC and the resonance capacitor C10. The current limiting inductance L2 and the resonance capacitor C10 are
When the boost voltage is applied, the terminal voltage of the resonance capacitor C10 increases due to series resonance and is charged.

Further, since a current flows through the primary winding wp of the feedback transformer NST, a voltage having a waveform proportional to the current waveform is induced in the secondary winding ws. Feedback transformer NST 2
Since the inductance of the secondary winding ws forms the drive resonance circuit DRC with the capacitance of the drive resonance capacitor C12, the induced voltage of the secondary winding ws resonates.
Then, the resonance voltage continuously applies a forward voltage between the gate and the source of the first switching means Q1 via the capacitor C13 to maintain the ON state. Also,
Since the resonance voltage is applied in a reverse direction between the gate and the source of the second switching means Q2, the second switching means Q2 remains in the off state.

However, since the polarity of the resonance voltage of the drive resonance circuit DRC is inverted next due to the vibration caused by the resonance, the gate-source voltage of the first switching means Q1 becomes a reverse voltage and turns off. Then, the gate-source voltage of the second switching means Q2 becomes a forward polarity and turns on.

Therefore, the first switching means Q1
Is determined by the capacitance of the drive resonance capacitor C12 of the drive resonance circuit DRC and the inductance of the secondary winding ws of the feedback transformer NST.

When the first switching means Q1 is turned off, the electromagnetic energy accumulated in the current limiting inductance L2 is released, and the current limiting inductance L2 causes the resonance capacitor C10, the parasitic diode of the second switching means Q2, and the feedback. Current continues to flow through the path of the primary winding wp of the transformer NST, the DC cut capacitor C9, the secondary winding of the step-up transformer SUT, and the current-limiting inductance L2, but when the current becomes zero, the resonance capacitor C10 Is charged current limiting current L2, secondary winding of step-up transformer SUT, DC cut capacitor C
9. The path of the primary winding wp of the feedback transformer NST, the second switching means Q2 and the resonance capacitor C10 is discharged, and the current flows in a direction opposite to the above. At this time, the voltage induced in the secondary winding ws of the feedback transformer NST is opposite to that described above. This voltage resonates in the drive resonance circuit DRC, and the first switching means Q1 to which the resonance voltage is applied is applied. Maintains the off state, and the second switching means Q2 maintains the on state.

However, when the resonance voltage of the drive resonance circuit DRC oscillates and the polarity is inverted, the first switching means Q1 is turned on again, and the second switching means Q2 is turned off. As a result, after the electromagnetic energy stored in the current limiting inductance L2 is released, a current flows again from the positive electrode of the partial smoothing circuit PSC to the load circuit LC as described first. Hereinafter, the operation described above is repeated, and the first and second switching means Q1, Q2
Operates as a half-bridge type inverter to generate a high-frequency AC voltage. The partial smoothing circuit PSC uses the unsmoothed DC voltage of the rectifier circuit FRB to control the smoothing capacitor C5,
C6 and C7 are charged in series. At this time, each of the smoothing capacitors C5, C6, and C7 is charged with a voltage that is の of the peak value of the non-smoothed DC voltage. On the other hand, at the time of discharging, each smoothing capacitor C
5, C6 and C7 discharge in parallel. Therefore, the valley portion in the half-wave rectified waveform of the low-frequency AC voltage is filled, and a so-called partial smoothed voltage is obtained between the terminals of the smoothing capacitors C5, C6, and C7. The drive resonance circuit D
When the resonance voltage of RC is applied between the gate and source of the switching means Q1 and Q2, the overvoltage portion is absorbed by the drive protection circuit DP, so that the gate is protected from overvoltage.

FIG. 6 shows a first embodiment of the compact fluorescent lamp of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a waveform chart showing a drain current waveform and a smoothing capacitor voltage waveform of the switching means in the secondary open state in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a waveform diagram showing the voltage and current waveforms of the respective parts in a state where the time axis is similarly extended.

[0156] In _{Figure, V 20} the secondary open-circuit voltage waveform,
I _DQ1 shows drain current waveforms of the first switching means _{Q1, V PSC} voltage waveform of the smoothing capacitor of the partial smoothing circuit PSC, respectively.

In the load circuit LC, when a load current flows through the current-limiting inductor L2 during operation, a voltage is induced in the extension coil w1 constituting the autotransformer, thereby heating the electrode E1 of the fluorescent lamp FL. I do. Also,
The electrode E2 of the fluorescent lamp FL is heated by the discharge current of the smoothing capacitors C5 and C6 of the partial smoothing circuit PSC.
Since the electrodes E1 and E2 are heated as described above, they are in a thermionic emission state, and a high voltage due to the resonance of the load circuit LC is applied between the electrodes E1 and E2. Starts and lights up.

When the fluorescent lamp is turned on, its electrodes E1,
Since the voltage between E2 becomes a lamp voltage as low as about half of the DC voltage, the resonance of the resonance capacitor C10 is alleviated. However, the primary winding wp of the unsaturated transformer NST is proportional to the lamp current. Voltage induction continues.

FIG. 8 shows the first embodiment of the compact fluorescent lamp of the present invention.
It is a wave form diagram which shows the voltage and current waveform of each part in the all light lighting state in embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows the voltage and current waveforms of the respective parts in a state where the time axis is also extended. The left half shows the waveform at the peak of the smoothed DC voltage of the partial smoothing circuit, and the right half shows the waveform at the trough. It is a waveform diagram.

In each figure, _VIN is an input voltage waveform, I
_L is a lamp current waveform, _IDQ1 is a drain current waveform of the first switching means Q1, _VPSC is a partial smoothing circuit P
2 shows a voltage waveform of a smoothing capacitor of SC.

Next, the dimming operation by the dimmer DM will be described.

During the rest period of the triac TRIAC of the dimmer DM, a low voltage proportional to the input impedance of the capacitor C2 and the bulb-type fluorescent lamp is applied to the bulb-type fluorescent lamp. In the lighting circuit means 2, the voltage in the pause period is rectified by the rectifier circuit FBR,
Partial smoothing is performed by the partial smoothing circuit PSC. And
The first and second switching means Q1 and Q2 receive a smoothed DC voltage and perform a half-bridge type inverter operation.

On the other hand, in the dimmer DM, when the output voltage of the phase shift circuit PSC, that is, the terminal voltage of the capacitor C3 rises and the diac DIAC turns on, a gate current flows into the triac TRIAC and turns on. Then, by changing the value of the variable resistor R1 of the operation circuit OC, the phase shift is performed, the conduction phase of the triac TRIAC changes, and the conduction section changes. Through this ON period, the holding current can flow through the triac TRIAC because the input current of the compact fluorescent lamp flows.

FIG. 10 is a waveform diagram showing voltage and current waveforms of respective parts for explaining the operation of the partial smoothing circuit in the first embodiment of the bulb-type fluorescent lamp of the present invention.

In the figure, (a) is an input voltage waveform,
(B) is a smoothed DC voltage waveform, (c) is an input current waveform,
Are respectively shown. The left half of the drawing shows the waveform when the light is not adjusted, and the right half shows the waveform when the phase angle is 90 °.

As can be understood from the drawing, when dimming a bulb-type fluorescent lamp using a dimmer, if a partial smoothing circuit is employed as the smoothing circuit, the input current and the smoothed DC voltage are reduced by the conduction angle of the input voltage. Therefore, the dimming characteristics are improved.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing the dimming characteristics of the compact fluorescent lamp according to the first embodiment of the present invention together with those of the comparative example.

In the figure, the horizontal axis represents the triac conduction period (%) of the dimmer, and the vertical axis represents the relative luminous flux (%). Curve A represents the present embodiment, curve B represents Comparative Example 1, and curve C represents Comparative Example 2, respectively. Comparative Example 1 is a light bulb-type fluorescent lamp having a capacitor input type smoothing circuit, and Comparative Example 2 is an incandescent light bulb.

When the bulb-type fluorescent lamp is connected to a low-frequency AC power supply via the dimmer DM, as shown in FIG. 12, an off period of about 20% occurs even in full light. Therefore, at the moment when the low frequency AC voltage rises, 70V _0-P
The steep voltage is applied to the capacitor of the noise filter NF of the bulb-type fluorescent lamp. As a result, when the pulse current crosses zero, the dimmer turns off,
This causes a flicker of brightness.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, circuit constants are set so that the crest factor of the envelope of the high-frequency lamp current becomes 1.7 or more.
As a result, since the valley filling voltage of the smoothed DC voltage becomes 70 V or less, the charging current flows into the partial smoothing circuit from the moment when the low frequency AC voltage rises. Therefore, the pulse current and the charging current flow simultaneously, and zero crossing does not occur.

FIG. 12 is a waveform diagram showing an output voltage waveform at the time of all-light operation of the dimmer.

FIG. 13 is a waveform diagram showing the voltage and current waveforms of each part in the first embodiment of the compact fluorescent lamp of the present invention.

In the figure, _VIN is an input voltage, V _PSC
Is a smoothed DC voltage, and _IL is a lamp current.

Further, in this embodiment, the electrode E2 of the discharge lamp FL is heated by the discharge current of the partial smoothing circuit.

FIG. 14 is a waveform diagram showing the voltage and current waveforms of each part when all light is turned on in the first embodiment of the bulb-type fluorescent lamp of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a waveform diagram showing the voltage and current waveforms of the respective parts during dimming lighting.

In each of the figures, _VIN is an input voltage, _IL is a lamp current, and _If is an electrode heating current.

As is clear from the figures, the electrode heating current at the time of light control is larger than that at the time of all light.

Next, the circuit operation of the protection circuit PC will be described.

In FIG. 4, when dimming is performed by operating the dimmer DM, when the dimming reaches the lower limit, the triac of the dimmer malfunctions due to a decrease in load power. Then, the positive and negative conduction periods of the low-frequency AC voltage are different. Therefore, the fluorescent lamp FL causes a flicker of brightness.

When the brightness of the fluorescent lamp FL flickers, the impedance of the fluorescent lamp FL changes synchronously with the flicker, so that an excessive resonance current flows through the load circuit LC, and the partial smoothing circuit PSC Since the charges of the smoothing capacitors C5, C6 and C7 are discharged, the terminal voltage of the capacitors decreases.

FIG. 16 is a waveform diagram showing an input voltage waveform when the positive and negative conduction periods of the low-frequency AC voltage are different at the dimming lower limit.

FIG. 17 is a waveform diagram showing the waveforms of the smoothed DC voltage and the lamp current at the lower limit of dimming.

Referring to FIG._PSCIs the smoothed DC voltage
Is shown. Arrow D is normally lit, and arrow E is
It can be seen that the voltage has dropped when flickering has occurred. Ma
I _LIndicates a lamp current. And the arrow F
During normal lighting, arrow G indicates flickering, and both indicate current values.
Are different.

In this embodiment, when the flicker of brightness occurs in the fluorescent lamp FL, the flicker detecting circuit FD
Is turned off. Accordingly, the switch Q3 is turned off, and the flicker of brightness is detected.
When the fluorescent lamp FL is in a normal lighting state, the Zener diode ZD3 of the flicker detection circuit FD turns on,
Accordingly, the switch Q3 is also turned on.

When the flicker detecting circuit FD detects the flicker of brightness, the switch Q4 of the oscillation stop circuit OS is turned on. Thereby, the gates of the first and second switching means Q1, Q2 are connected to the diode D7 and the switch Q2.
4, the switching operation is stopped. Therefore, the fluorescent lamp FL is turned off.

At the same time, the current flow circuit CP operates, and a current flows from the partial smoothing circuit PSC to the path of the diode D8, the resistor R8, and the switch Q4. As a result, a resistance load including the resistor R8 is connected to the partial smoothing circuit PSC, so that an input current flows. For this reason, malfunction of the dimmer can be prevented, and other loads connected to the same dimmer are not adversely affected.

Further, when the flicker detecting circuit FD detects the flicker, the hysteresis generating circuit HG operates.
That is, when the oscillation stop circuit OS operates, the switch Q
The gate of No. 3 is forcibly maintained at a low voltage via the resistor R9 and the diode D9, and can maintain the oscillation stop state.

FIG. 18 is a circuit diagram showing a bulb-type fluorescent lamp according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the partial smoothing circuit PS
C is a smoothing capacitor C5, C6 and a diode D1,
It is configured by a two-stage partial smoothing system consisting of D3 and D4. As a result, the combined capacitance of the smoothing capacitor becomes smaller than in the case of the three-stage partial smoothing method, and during the non-conduction period of the dimmer DM, the fluorescent lamp FL loses its lamp current, that is, enters the re-ignition lighting mode. Become. However, the switching operation of the switching means Q1 and Q2 continues during that time, and the filament electrodes E1 and E2 of the fluorescent lamp FL are preheated.

FIG. 19 is a waveform diagram showing an AC input voltage waveform and a lamp current waveform at the time of all light in the bulb-type fluorescent lamp according to the second embodiment of the present invention. (A) shows the AC input voltage, and (b) shows the lamp current. From the figure, it can be seen that the fluorescent lamp FL is in the continuous lighting mode at the time of all light.

FIG. 20 is a waveform diagram showing an AC input voltage waveform and a lamp current waveform during dimming.
(A) and (b) are the same as FIG. From the figure, it can be seen that the fluorescent lamp FL is in the re-ignition lighting mode during dimming.

Returning to FIG. 18, the circuit configuration will be described. In this embodiment, a re-entry detecting means RTD is provided. The re-input detecting means RTD is provided with an AC power supply AS.
Is detected, and the fluorescent lamp FL is started when the conduction time of the dimmer DM is equal to or longer than t1 at which the dimming lower limit is reached. That is, the re-input detecting means RTD mainly includes an integrating circuit of the diode D4, the resistor R6 and the capacitor C14, one end of which is connected to the positive electrode of the partial smoothing circuit PSC, and the capacitor C14 is connected to the switch Q4.
Connected between the gate and the source.

Then, when the conduction time of the dimmer DM reaches t1, the Zener diode ZD3 turns off, and in conjunction with this, the switch Q3 turns off, the switch Q4 turns on, and the switching means Q1, Q2 stop oscillating. And fluorescent lamp F
L goes out.

When the AC power supply AS is continuously turned on even after the fluorescent lamp FL is turned off, since the resistor R9 is connected to the gate of the switch Q3, even if the Zener diode ZD3 is turned on, the resistor R5 is connected. Does not generate the voltage necessary to turn on the switch Q3. Therefore, the switch Q3 cannot be turned on during the conduction time t1. But,
When the conduction time is equal to or longer than t2 which is longer than the conduction time t1 by a predetermined value, the resistor R
Since the amount of current flowing through 5 increases, a voltage required to turn on switch Q3 is generated in resistor R5. When the switch Q3 is turned on, the switch Q4 is turned off and the switching operation of the switching means Q1 and Q2 is started to oscillate, so that the fluorescent lamp FL is started.

On the other hand, after turning off the fluorescent lamp FL,
If the AC power supply AS is cut off once and then turned on again, if the conduction period of the dimmer DM is longer than t1, in other words, if the conduction time is between the conduction times t1 and t2, the capacitor C14 is not charged. Since the switch Q4 is off, the switching means Q1 and Q2 start the switching operation, and the fluorescent lamp FL starts. Thereafter, the voltage of the capacitor C14 rises via the diode D4 and the resistor R6. At this time, since the zener diode ZD3 is already on and the switch Q3 is already on, the switch Q4 is continuously turned off and the fluorescent lamp FL is turned off. Keeps lighting.

FIG. 21 is a partially cutaway front view showing a mounting example of lighting circuit means in the bulb-type fluorescent lamp according to the second embodiment of the present invention. That is, the electrolytic capacitors C5 and C6 constituting the partial smoothing circuit PSC in FIG. 18 are arranged with the winding circuit component 1 interposed therebetween with respect to the wiring board 2a. For this arrangement, the smoothing capacitor C
5, C6 are mounted on the wiring board 2a with the lead wires extended, and the lead wires are folded in the middle and laid sideways.

Thus, since the smoothing capacitors C5 and C6 are thermally isolated from the fluorescent lamp 1, especially from the tube end,
The effect of the radiant heat is reduced. Therefore, the heat-resistant grade of the smoothing capacitors C5 and C6 can be reduced. In addition, the utilization rate of the limited space in the cover 3 is improved, and the lighting circuit means 2 can be made compact.

[0200]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a bent discharge path is formed inside, and a phosphor layer is formed on the inner surface side of a compact translucent discharge vessel, and a pair of electrodes are formed on both ends. A noise filter, a rectifier circuit, and a partial smoothing circuit are sequentially connected to an input terminal connected to a low-frequency AC power supply via a fluorescent lamp equipped with an ionizing medium and a phase control dimmer to smooth the partial smoothing circuit. The fluorescent lamp is operated by the first switching means and the second switching means connected in series so that a DC voltage is applied, and the high-frequency AC generated by the alternating switching of the first and second switching means. A lighting circuit means having a load circuit for lighting, a cover housing the lighting circuit means therein and supporting the fluorescent lamp, and a base connected to an input end of the lighting circuit means and disposed at a base end of the cover. By being equipped and gold, the,
Dimming can be performed with relatively good dimming characteristics, and an inexpensive bulb-type fluorescent lamp having a relatively simple circuit configuration can be provided.

According to the invention of claim 2, the load circuit of the lighting circuit means further includes a load resonance circuit including a current limiting inductance and a resonance capacitor, and the fluorescent lamp is connected in parallel to at least a part of the resonance capacitor, and a smoothing circuit is provided. A protection circuit that turns off the fluorescent lamp when the smoothed DC voltage becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, thereby performing a protection operation near the dimming lower limit so as to prevent a flicker in brightness. Shaped fluorescent lamps can be provided.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above, there is provided a protection circuit for turning off the fluorescent lamp when the dimming is near the lower limit of dimming and for allowing a current to flow from the low-frequency AC power supply. Light bulb type that prevents flickering of brightness when near the lower limit of light and prevents malfunction of phase control type dimmer so as not to adversely affect other loads connected to the same dimmer. A fluorescent lamp can be provided.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a bent discharge path is formed inside, and a phosphor layer is provided on the inner surface side of a compact light-transmitting discharge vessel, and a pair of filament electrodes are provided on both ends.
A fluorescent lamp with an ionizing medium inside, and an input terminal connected to a low-frequency AC power supply via a phase control dimmer,
A noise filter, a rectifier circuit, and a smoothing circuit for smoothing the non-smoothed DC voltage of the rectifier circuit and discharging at least via a filament electrode of the fluorescent lamp are sequentially connected,
First and second switching means connected in series so that a smoothing DC voltage of a smoothing circuit is applied, and high-frequency AC generated by alternate switching of the first and second switching means. Lighting circuit means having a load circuit for lighting the fluorescent lamp, and a cover for housing the lighting circuit means and supporting the fluorescent lamp, and being connected to an input end of the lighting circuit means and arranged at a base end of the cover. And a base that is provided, prevents at least the discharge current of the smoothing capacitor from becoming an inrush current, and heats the filament electrode without power loss, thereby improving the circuit efficiency and breaking the filament electrode. Thus, it is possible to provide a bulb-type fluorescent lamp which is connected to the same dimmer and does not adversely affect other loads.

According to the invention of claim 5, in addition to the fact that the crest factor of the lamp current at the time of all-light lighting is set to 1.7 or more, malfunction of the dimmer can be prevented with a simple circuit configuration. In addition, it is not necessary to add a circuit that causes power loss, and a bulb-type fluorescent lamp with high circuit efficiency can be provided.

According to the invention of claim 6, a fluorescent lamp including a translucent discharge vessel, a phosphor layer, a pair of electrodes, and an ionization medium; a low-frequency AC power supply via a phase control type dimmer The input terminal connected to the noise filter, the rectifier circuit, the smoothing circuit that smoothes the non-smoothed DC output voltage of the rectifier circuit and outputs a partially smoothed DC output voltage, and the DC output voltage of the smoothing circuit is applied. Switching means connected so that the lamp current of the fluorescent lamp is turned on, so that the lamp current of the waveform envelope fills the valley when the light is full, and the lamp current is turned off during the non-conduction period of the dimmer when the light is dimmed. Lighting circuit means configured in;
A cover for accommodating the lighting circuit means therein and supporting the fluorescent lamp; and a base disposed at a base end of the cover; With this configuration, it is possible to provide a compact fluorescent lamp that is inexpensive and does not flicker in brightness even during dimming.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, in addition, the amplitude modulation of the lamp current at the time of all light is 60% or less, and the amplitude modulation of the lamp current at the lower limit of dimming is 70% or more. Since the light is emitted with high efficiency at the time of full light and the luminous efficiency is lowered at the lower limit of dimming, even if the range of change of the conduction angle of the dimmer is small, a predetermined total luminous flux change can be obtained, Since the input power becomes relatively large, even near the dimming lower limit, the filament heating becomes better,
A bulb-type fluorescent lamp in which damage to the filament electrode is reduced can be provided.

According to the invention of claim 8, in addition to the above, the dimmer is configured to be turned off with the dimming lower limit when the conduction time of the dimmer is t1, and the dimmer conduction time is set to be shorter than t1. It is configured to restart at a long time t2 and to provide a re-entry detecting means for detecting a re-entry of the AC power supply, so that when the re-entry is detected, the conduction time of the dimmer is started at t1 or more. When the re-input detecting means detects the re-input of the AC power supply, the fluorescent lamp is started if the conduction time of the lower limit of the dimming is equal to or longer than t1, so that the dimming degree is fixed near the lower limit of the dimming. However, it is possible to provide a bulb-type fluorescent lamp capable of blinking the bulb-type fluorescent lamp only by turning on and off the AC power supply.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional front view showing a first embodiment of a bulb-type fluorescent lamp of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the glove as seen through;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the same.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a lighting circuit unit and a dimmer in one embodiment of the bulb-type fluorescent lamp of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing an internal circuit of the dimmer.

FIG. 6 is a waveform diagram showing a drain current waveform and a smoothing capacitor voltage waveform of the switching means in the secondary open state in one embodiment of the bulb-type fluorescent lamp of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a waveform chart showing voltage and current waveforms of respective parts in a state where the time axis is extended.

FIG. 8 is a waveform chart showing voltage and current waveforms of each part in an all-lights-on state in one embodiment of the bulb-type fluorescent lamp of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a waveform diagram showing the voltage and current waveforms of the respective parts in a state where the time axis is also extended, wherein the left half shows the waveform at the peak of the smoothed DC voltage of the partial smoothing circuit, and the right half shows the waveform at the trough.

FIG. 10 is a waveform chart showing voltage and current waveforms of respective parts for explaining the operation of the partial smoothing circuit in one embodiment of the bulb-type fluorescent lamp of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing the dimming characteristics of the bulb-type fluorescent lamp according to one embodiment of the present invention together with those of the comparative example.

FIG. 12 is a waveform chart showing an output voltage waveform at the time of all-optical operation of the phase control type dimmer.

FIG. 13 is a waveform chart showing voltage and current waveforms of respective parts in one embodiment of the bulb-type fluorescent lamp of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a waveform chart showing voltage and current waveforms of each part when all light is turned on in one embodiment of the bulb-type fluorescent lamp of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a waveform chart showing the voltage and current waveforms of the respective parts during the dimming lighting.

FIG. 16 is a waveform chart showing an input voltage waveform when the positive and negative conduction periods of the low-frequency AC voltage are different at the lower limit of dimming.

FIG. 17 is a waveform chart showing waveforms of a smoothed DC voltage and a lamp current at the lower limit of dimming.

FIG. 18 is a circuit diagram showing a second embodiment of the bulb-type fluorescent lamp of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a waveform diagram showing an AC input voltage waveform and a lamp current waveform at the time of all light in the bulb-type fluorescent lamp according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a waveform chart showing an AC input voltage waveform and a lamp current waveform during dimming.

FIG. 21 is a partially cutaway front view showing a mounting example of the lighting circuit means in the second embodiment of the bulb-type fluorescent lamp of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 a: Input terminal AS: Low frequency AC power supply b: Input terminal C5: Smoothing capacitor C6: Smoothing capacitor C7: Smoothing capacitor C8: High frequency bypass capacitor C9: DC cut capacitor C10: Resonant capacitor C12: Drive resonance capacitor CP: Current flow Circuit DM: Dimmer DP: Drive protection circuit DRC: Drive resonance circuit E1: Electrode E2: Electrode FBR: Rectifier circuit FD: Flicker detection circuit FDG: Feedback drive signal generation circuit FL: Fluorescent lamp HG: Hysteresis generation circuit L2: Current-limiting inductance LC: Load circuit NF: Noise filter NST: Feedback transformer OS: Oscillation stop circuit PC: Protection circuit PSC: Partial smoothing circuit Q1: First switching means Q2: Second switching means Q3: Switch Q4: Switch ST: Start circuit UT ... step-up transformer wp ... 1 winding ws ... 2 windings

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yuichiro Takahara 4-3-1 Higashishinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Toshiba Litec Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 3K072 AA02 AA06 AC02 AC11 BB03 BC01 CA03 CA16 CB07 DD04 EA02 EA03 EB03 EB05 EB07 FA05 GA03 GB12 GC02 HA10 HB02 3K098 CC24 CC41 CC62 DD05 DD21 DD35 DD44 DD46 EE03 EE12 EE28 FF03 FF04 FF12 FF14

Claims (8)

[Claims] A light-transmitting discharge vessel formed in a compact shape such that a bent discharge path is formed therein; a phosphor layer disposed on an inner surface side of the light-transmitting discharge vessel; A fluorescent lamp having a pair of electrodes sealed at both ends of a light-emitting discharge vessel, and an ionization medium sealed in a light-transmitting discharge vessel; and a low-frequency AC power supply via a phase control dimmer. Input terminal to connect, noise filter to connect to input terminal,
A rectifier circuit having an AC input terminal connected to the output terminal side of the noise filter, a partial smoothing circuit for smoothing the non-smoothed DC output voltage of the rectifier circuit, and a series circuit for applying the smoothed DC voltage of the partial smoothing circuit. Connected first and second switching means, and first and second
Lighting circuit means provided with a load circuit for lighting a fluorescent lamp by being actuated by high-frequency alternating current generated by the alternate switching of the switching means; a cover accommodating the lighting circuit means therein and supporting the fluorescent lamp; A lamp connected to the input end of the means and disposed at a base end of the cover. 2. The lighting circuit means, wherein the load circuit includes a load resonance circuit including a current limiting inductance and a resonance capacitor, and is configured to connect the fluorescent lamp in parallel with at least a part of the resonance capacitor; 2. The bulb-type fluorescent lamp according to claim 1, further comprising a protection circuit for turning off the fluorescent lamp when the smoothed DC voltage of the circuit becomes a predetermined value or less. 3. The lighting circuit means includes a protection circuit for turning off the fluorescent lamp when the dimming level is near the lower limit, and for passing a current from a low-frequency AC power supply. Or the bulb-type fluorescent lamp according to 2. 4. A light-transmitting discharge vessel formed in a compact shape such that a bent discharge path is formed therein, a phosphor layer disposed on the inner surface side of the light-transmitting discharge vessel, A fluorescent lamp including a pair of filament electrodes sealed at both ends of a light-emitting discharge vessel, and an ionization medium sealed inside the light-transmitting discharge vessel; a low-frequency AC power supply via a phase control type dimmer The input terminal connected to the input terminal, the noise filter connected to the input terminal, the rectifier circuit whose AC input terminal is connected to the output terminal side of the noise filter, the smoothing of the rectifier circuit DC output voltage and the filament electrode of the fluorescent lamp A first switching means and a second switching means connected in series such that a smoothing DC voltage of the smoothing circuit is applied thereto, and a first and a second switching means. Lighting circuit means provided with a load circuit for lighting a fluorescent lamp by being actuated by high-frequency alternating current generated by the alternate switching of the switching means; a cover accommodating the lighting circuit means therein and supporting the fluorescent lamp; A lamp connected to the input end of the means and disposed at a base end of the cover. 5. The bulb-type fluorescent lamp according to claim 1, wherein a crest factor of a lamp current at the time of all-light lighting is set to 1.7 or more. 6. A light-transmitting discharge vessel formed in a compact shape such that a bent discharge path is formed therein, a phosphor layer disposed on an inner surface side of the light-transmitting discharge vessel, A fluorescent lamp having a pair of electrodes sealed at both ends of a light-emitting discharge vessel, and an ionization medium sealed in a light-transmitting discharge vessel; and a low-frequency AC power supply via a phase control dimmer. Input terminal to connect, noise filter to connect to input terminal,
A rectifier circuit whose AC input terminal is connected to the output terminal side of the noise filter, a smoothing circuit that smoothes the non-smoothed DC output voltage of the rectifier circuit and outputs a partially smoothed DC output voltage,
Switching means connected so that the DC output voltage of the smoothing circuit is applied, and a load circuit that operates by a high-frequency AC generated by switching of the switching means to turn on the fluorescent lamp, and that in the case of all light, a valley-filled waveform envelope is provided. Lighting circuit means configured to supply a lamp current and extinguish the lamp current during the non-conduction period of the dimmer during dimming; a cover accommodating the lighting circuit means therein and supporting the fluorescent lamp; A base lamp connected to the input end of the circuit means and disposed at a base end of the cover. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the amplitude modulation of the envelope of the lamp current at the time of all light is 60% or less, and the amplitude modulation of the envelope of the lamp current at the lower limit of dimming is 70% or more. 7. The bulb-type fluorescent lamp according to any one of items 6 to 6. 8. When the conduction time of the dimmer is t1, the dimming becomes lower limit and the light is turned off, and the conduction time of the dimmer is longer than t1.
It is configured to restart when the power supply is turned on, and is provided with re-entry detecting means for detecting the re-entry of the AC power supply. 8. The compact fluorescent lamp according to claim 1, wherein the fluorescent lamp is configured to start at t1 or more.